Mooring line retaining device



06L 6, 1964 T. s. STAINBROOK 3,

MOORING LINE RETAINING DEVICE Filed Oct. 18, 19363 NVENTOR. THEODORE S. TAINBROOK Arromvsrs United States Patent 3,151,595 MGORING LINE RETAINING DEVICE Theodore S. Stainbroolr, 1%864 Fairbanks Way, Culver City, Calif. Filed Oct. 18, 1963, Ser. No. 317,346 5 Claims. (Cl. 114-230) This invention broadly relates to structures and devices for retaining flexible members or lines in a convenient position for grasping by the user; more particularly, the invention relates to a novel structure for retaining mooring lines of boats in desirable locations for manipulation by an individual on a boat as the boat approaches or leaves the docking area.

Conventional docking facilities such as marinas, haibors, and the like embody piers which project outwardly from docks at spaced intervals to define slip areas into which boats ranging generally in size from 15 feet to 75 feet long are docked. During the operation of securing the boat in the slip, it is the usual practice, as the boat enters the slip for either a person on one of the piers or the dock to throw a mooring line to a person on the bow of the boat. In other instances, someone on the boat may jump onto the pier and throw a mooring line to another person on the boat. Also, boat hooks are sometimes used. With smaller boats operated by one person, the problem of getting hold of the mooring lines oftentimes ecomes exceedingly difiicult without causing the boat to impact against the piers and dock or otherwise damage the hull.

In some cases the mooring lines may be hanging down into the water; in such case they are not only difi'icult to get hold of from the bow of the boat, but also they tend to deteriorate because of water soakage.

f course, various methods have been devised to eliminate the problems associated with getting hold of the mooring lines; for example, as heretofore mentioned, boat hooks have been devised to pick up the bow lines from the dock or water as the case may be, however, even with boat hooks, without a skilled boatsman much time may be consumed before the line may be caught and positioned in such a manner that it may be grasped from the boat.

With the foregoing considerations in mind, it is a primary object of the present inven ion to provide a device for retaining boat mooring lines in position to be conveniently grasped by someone on the boat.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device for retaining bow lines for use with a boat in a position where the lines will not be susceptible to water damage and also in a position where the lines may be quickly and easily picked up by someone unskilled in mooring and docking boats.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a device for retaining mooring lines for use with a boat which includes portions thereof designed to extend to a position to hold the lines conveniently for someone on a boat to reach, and yet a device which is so constructed that it will not interfere with the movement of the boat into a slip and the proper securing thereof.

Still a further object of the present invention is to pro vide a device for retaining mooring lines in conjunction with boat docking, wherein the device may be manufactured of relatively standard materials on a production line Patented Oct. 6, 1964 basis without any expensive tooling or fabrication being required.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are generally achieved by providing a retaining structure for dock mooring lines of a boat comprising a vertical or upright member which is designed to be received in a mounting member, the latter being in turn rigidly fastened to the dock or pier proidmate where the boat is being docked. Preferably, the mounting member is securely fastened to the clock as by screws or bolts. Also, it is preferable that the upright member be susceptible of limited rotation with respect to the mounting memher and towards this end it is desirable that some type of means be intercoupled between the vertical member and the mounting member to bias the vertical member towards a given position but still allow it to rotate with respect to said position for a purpose that will become clearer as the specification proceeds.

Coupled to the vertical member is a horizontal member which includes a fastening portion that is slidably coupled to the vertical member, a lengthwise portion extending away from the vertical member, and a hook shaped portion at the end of the lengthwise portion, the hook shaped portion being designed to receive the mooring lines and retain same in position above the water at level according to the particular size of the boat with which the device is used.

A better understanding of the present invention will be had by reference to the drawings, showing merely illustrative embodiments, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view showing a boat docked in a slip to illustrate the location of the device of the present invention and its use in conjunction with the boat; and,

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the mooring line retaining device of the present invention also illustrating the manner in which the lines are retained thereon.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG- URE 1 a portion of a conventional marina, harbor, or the like, including a dock 1t and projecting piers 11 and 12 defining a slip therebetween. A boat 13 is shown dis: posed in the slip and includes a bow portion 14 provided with mooring lines including bow lines 15 and 16 suitably fastened to the respective piers 11 and 12 and to the boat 13.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a bow line retaining device 17 which is coupled to the pier 11. As shown in FIGURE 1, the device is positioned somewhat forward of the bow 14 of the boat.

Referring to FIGURE 2, there is shown a detailed drawing of the bow line retaining device 17. In this regard, it will be seen at the lower portion of the drawing that there is provided a mounting means 18 including a collar portion 19 and a flanged floor portion 20 which may be secured by bolts 21 and nuts 22 to the pier 11. The particular location of the mounting means 18 may be varied and is only illustrativel shown as coupled to the pier 11. it could equally well be coupled to the dock 10 or to the pier 12, according to the size of the boat, the location of the fastening means, and the like.

The collar portion 19 of the mounting means 18 includes a bayonet type slot 23 through which projects the free end 24 of a coil spring 25. The coil spring 25 is disposed in the bottom portion of a vertical tubular member 26. The end 24 projects through an opening in Q E3 7 I V the tubular member 26 and is designed to be received into the bayonet slot 23 and locked into the position as shown. I

The vertical member 26 preferably is covered at'its upper end with a plastic cap member 27. The vertical member further has coupled thereto a coaxial outer tubular member 28 which is slidable thereon as indicated by the arrow. The member 23 may be locked in any vertical position with respect to the vertical member 26 by set screws 29 and 3t) as shown. Of course, any other type of suitable fastening means may be employed for this purpose.

The outer tubular member 28 forms the fastening portion of a horizontal member 31' which embodies a plurality of spaced through openings 32. The horizontal portion 31 is preferably intercoupled' to the fastening portion 28 by a brace member 33. The brace member 33 may be welded to the fastening portion 28 and horizontal portion 31; also, the horizontal portion 31 as such may be welded to the fastening portion 23. Of course, other types of rigid connections may be used as by bolts, clamps, and the like. 7 V

The end of the horizontal member 31 is coupled in telescoped relationship with an extension 34 which ineludesv a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings 35 designed to be aligned wtih the openings 32 in the member 31. The telescoping member 34 defines at its free end a hook shaped portion 36 preferably capped at its outer. end with a plastic cap member 37. The hook shaped portion 36, of course, relates to an important function of the present invention of retaining the lines 15 and 16 as indicated.

The operation of the mooring lines retainer structure of the present invention may now be described.

The particular location of the line holder 17 will vary according to the boat size and the bow structure thereof. Preferably the device 17 is located such that the hook shaped portion 36 extends to a point over the bow of the boatwhen the tubular member26 is biased to its normal position by the spring 25. Towards this objective, the device 17 may be secured to the pier 11 a shown or to the opposing pier 12. or dock 10, as heretofore mentioned. Normally, the horizontal member 31 will not be engaged by the bow of the boat or the superstructure thereof; towards this end, prior to use, a proper vertical adjustment of the fastening portion 28 and a proper horizontal adjustment of thetelescoping member 34 will be made according to the dimensions of the particular boat. 7

However, by providing the coil spring 25 intercoupled between the tubular member 26 and the mounting member 18,- it will be appreciated that if the boat or any part thereof impacts or engages the horizontal member 31, the latter will merely rotate a limited degree overcoming the tension of spring '25. The spring 25 thus functions primarily as. a safety device to prevent breakage of the arm 31.

As the boat is being docked, the bow lines 15 and 16 would normally be in a position as indicated in FIG- URE 2 stretched over the hook shaped portion 36. It will .be appreciated in consequence, that a person standing on the bow of the boat may readily grasp the lines 15 and 16 as the boat is being docked since the hook shaped portion will be located at a point over the bow of the boat after the proper vertical and longitudinal adjustments have been made as above mentioned.

The bow lines may then be removed from the hook shaped portion and suitably tied to the boat as in the manner as indicated in FIGURE 1.

Upon leaving the dock, instead of throwing the bow lines 15 and 16 onto the adjacent piers 11 and 12. or merely letting them hang in the water, the lines would be. draped over the hook shaped portion 36 in the manner as shown in FIGURE 2. Thus, when the boat re-enters the slip, there would be no necessity for a person jump- ,4 I ing onto one of the piers or for the use of order to secure the bow lines 15 and 16.

boat hooks in Of course, it will be appreciated, that many variations.

maybe made in the mooring line retaining device of the present invention without departing from the basic features thereof. Thus, the particular mechanical means of fastening, welding, capping and mounting the structure, for example, may be varied in accordance with materials and mechanical elements well known in the art. These and other modifications are'deemed to fall 7 eluding a fastening portion adjustably mounted on said vertical member whereby the height of said horizontal member may be varied; and, a hook shaped member defined by the free end of 'said horizontal member, said hook shaped member means being designed to receive the free ends of said dock mooring lines and retain them in a convenient grasping position as the boat approaches or leaves dock.

2. A retaining structure for dock mooring lines of a boat comprising; a vertical member; mounting means rigidly coupled to said dock supporting said vertical member and enabling limited relative rotative movement of said vertical member with respect thereto; spring means coupled between said mounting member and said vertical member biasing said vertical member towards a given position; a horizontal member coupled to and extending outwardly from said vertical member, said horizontal member; having a fastening portion slidably mounted on said vertical member for adjustment of the position of said horizontal member with respect to the height of said boat, said horizontal member further inciuding a hook-shaped portion designed to receive said mooring lines and retain same in a convenient position for grasping as said boat approaches or leaves the'dock.

3. A retaining structure for dock mooring lines of a boat comprising; a vertical member; mounting means ri idly coupled to said dock supporting said vertical member, said mounting means enabling limited relative movement of said vertical member with respect thereto; spring means coupled between said mounting means and said vertical member tending to bias said vertical member towards a given normal position with respect to said mounting means; a horizontal member coupled to said vertical member of said horizontal member including a fastening portion slidably mounted on said vertical member for adjusting the height of said horizontal member as desired for particular boat sizes, said horizontal member also including at its outer end a hook-shaped portion designed to receive said dock mooring lines to hold same in a convenient manipulating position with respect to said boat as it approaches and leaves said dock; and, a telescoping connection between said hook-shaped portion and said fastening: portion to enable lengthening and shortening of said horizontal member according to the size of the particular boat.

7 4. A retaining structure for dock 'mooring lines, according to claim 3, and brace means intercoupled between said horizontal member and the fastening portion thereof.

5. A retaining structure for dock mooring lines, of a boat comprising; a tubular vertical member; a mounting member rigidly coupled to said dock, said mounting member including a collar portion designed to receive said tubular member, said collar portion including a bayonet slot; spring means disposed within the bottom portion of said vertical member, said spring means having an end portion designed to be received in said bayonet 5 slot of said collar so as to bias said vertical member to a given normal position with respect to said collar and said mounting means; a horizontal member including a fastening portion slidably mounted on said vertical member, said horizontal member extending outwardly from said vertical member; means for coupling said fastening portion to said vertical member in any number of given heights; brace means intercoupled between said fastening portion and said horizontal member to brace said horizontal member; a telescoping member extending from the outer end of said horizontal member, said telescoping member including a hook-shaped portion at its free end designed to receive said mooring lines, said telescoping member being designed to vary the distance of said hookshaped portion from said vertical member according to the particular boat size.

No references cited. 

1. A RETAINING STRUCTURE FOR DOCK MOORING LINES OF A BOAT COMPRISING; A VERTICAL MEMBER; MEANS RIGIDLY COUPLED TO SAID DOCK SUPPORTING SAID VERTICAL MEMBER AND ENABLING RELATIVE ROTATIVE MOVEMENT OF SAID VERTICAL MEMBER WITH RESPECT THERETO; A HORIZONTAL MEMBER COUPLED TO A SAID VERTICAL MEMBER, SAID HORIZONTAL MEMBER INCLUDING A FASTENING PORTION ADJUSTABLE MOUNTED ON SAID VERTICAL MEMBER WHEREBY THE HEIGHT OF SAID HORIZONTAL MEMBER MAY BE VARIED; AND, A HOOK SHAPED MEMBER DEFINED BY THE FREE END OF SAID HORIZONTAL MEMBER, SAID HOOK SHAPED MEMBER MEANS BEING DESIGNED TO RECEIVE THE FREE ENDS OF SAID DOCK MOORING LINES AND RETAIN THEM IN A CONVENIENT GRASPING POSITION AS THE BOAT APPROACHES OR LEAVES DOCK. 